The prospects of Pakistani players participating in the 2023 World Cupwithout central contracts have grown increasingly likely as only two daysremain before the team’s departure, and negotiations with the PakistanCricket Board (PCB) have failed to yield positive results. Over the pastfour months, cricketers have not received any payments in the form ofmonthly retainers or match fees from the PCB, placing a significant burdenon young players grappling with financial difficulties. Until now, theyhave quietly endured, refraining from taking actions that might expresstheir discontent, but they are now considering refusing to displaysponsors’ logos on their shirts.
A Pakistan cricketer, speaking anonymously, expressed their perspective,stating, “We are willing to represent Pakistan for free, but our questionis why we should promote sponsors’ logos that are affiliated with theboard. Similarly, we may decline to participate in promotional activitiesand other events. During the World Cup, we won’t engage in ICC’s commercialpromotions and activities either.” This stance reflects the players’growing frustration with the current contract negotiations.
The proposed contract structure initially offered an attractive monthlyretainer fee of PKR 4.5 million to top cricketers across all three formats.However, players believe that after taxes and deductions, their take-homepay would only amount to approximately PKR 2.2 to 2.3 million, which is whythey are advocating for further increases. Their demands also extend to ashare of the revenue generated by the PCB from the International CricketCouncil (ICC) and sponsors.
Under the ICC revenue-sharing model, the board receives approximately 9.8billion rupees, excluding revenue from the Pakistan Super League (PSL),sponsorships, or bilateral series. Even when factoring in all centralcontracts, the payment would still fall short of one billion rupees, whichis 10% less than what the board receives from ICC revenue sharing.
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In contrast, PCB sources contend that players’ agents may be influencingtheir stance, and they maintain that the board is offering a fair deal.Nevertheless, the urgency of resolving this matter cannot be understated,particularly because the World Cup is slated to take place in India. Anynegative actions or controversies involving the Pakistani team in thiscontext could potentially tarnish Pakistan’s reputation on theinternational stage. Therefore, a flexible approach and swift resolutionare imperative to ensure the team’s full participation in the tournament.
In conclusion, the standoff between Pakistan’s cricketers and the PCB overcentral contracts has reached a critical juncture as the World Cup drawsnear. The financial strain on players and their demands for a moreequitable compensation structure underscore the urgency of resolving thisissue. Finding a compromise that satisfies both parties is essential tomaintain Pakistan’s standing in the cricketing world and to ensure asuccessful and harmonious participation in the 2023 World Cup in India.
